While many students spend their summer away from campus, four Eastern University chemistry students spent six weeks asking questions that don't yet have answers.
Through the Chemistry Department's Summer Research Program, Ainsley O'Donnell '27, Chemistry, Julianna Lindenmuth '29, Biochemistry, Daisy Nguyen '28, Biochemistry, and Owen Streett '28, Biochemistry conducted full-time research from May 18 to June 26. Guided by faculty mentors, these students researched real-world problems while gaining the confidence and experience that will prepare them for careers in science, healthcare, and research.
Dr. Joon-Seo Park mentored Ainsley and Julianna as they researched new ways to detect glucose and histamine using nanoparticles — work that could help improve future medical testing and diagnostics.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jeffrey Lawton worked with Daisy and Owen to study proteins involved in Fire Blight, a bacterial disease that damages apple and pear trees. Their research aimed to better understand how the disease spreads and how it affects plants.
Like most scientific research, there were setbacks and challenges.
Watching his students design experiments, solve problems, interpret data, and refine their ideas "was one of the most rewarding aspects of the summer" for Dr. Park.
“Scientific research rarely follows a straight path. Yet they approached each obstacle with resilience, creativity, and determination.”
For the students, the experience offered opportunities rarely available to undergraduates.
"Almost everyone applying to med school has worked in a science lab, but usually, students are just doing chores, cleaning up, organizing data, or pipetting liquids," Daisy said. "As a pre-med student, I want to actually make scientific discoveries and get published in major science journals. This summer research program gave me that exact opportunity."
Julianna reflected on both the academic and personal impact of the experience.
"The opportunity to do summer research at Eastern has been a blessing I'm entirely grateful for," she said. "My lab skills have developed and my mind has been challenged, all while being able to see God's hands in His created world."
For Owen, the collaborative environment made the experience especially meaningful.
"Working as a student researcher with the Eastern Chemistry Department has been a fruitful experience full of collaboration, innovation, and discovery," he said. "I am very thankful for the laboratory experience gained as well as the connections made through this opportunity and will hold onto these as I continue my career in the natural sciences."
Faculty members believe these experiences are exactly what makes the program so valuable.
"For me, the summer research period is one of the highlights of the academic year, as my students become research colleagues," Dr. Lawton said.
“This is the purest form of teaching... working side-by-side with my students as they apply the knowledge and skills that they have gained in their coursework to push beyond the boundaries of human knowledge about God's Creation.”
Dr. Park shared a similar sentiment, emphasizing that undergraduate research is about more than scientific results.
"Mentoring undergraduate researchers is one of the greatest joys of being a faculty member," he said. "I believe that investing in undergraduate research is truly an investment in the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, and innovators."
Eastern University's Chemistry Department's Summer Research Program reflects the University's commitment to providing students with opportunities to engage in meaningful research, work closely with faculty mentors, and contribute to scientific discovery. Through experiences like these, students leave the laboratory with more than technical skills — they leave with the confidence to ask bigger questions, tackle complex challenges, and pursue careers dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving others.